Six reasons to visit Wonthaggi

Date: January 05 2013

Richard Cornish

Country show

The Bass Coast Summer Agricultural Show is a real country show with bulls, chooks and horses. Next weekend come and watch big men in blue singlets chop through massive hardwood logs in mere seconds in the Woodchop State Championships. Also look out for the beautifully audacious work of local yarn bomber Dell Nolan who is covering poles, posts and trees in intricate patterns made from coloured wool. She has been offered an old tractor to cover but at the time of writing it wasn't confirmed if she would be covering it. The Bass Coast Shire is putting on healthy living cooking demonstrations while the ladies of the Wonthaggi Tennis Club will be baking scones for the Devonshire teas and currying eggs for the sandwiches to feed the folk at this classic country fair. Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, Korumburra Rd, January 12 (and 13 for equestrian events only), family ticket (two adults, two children) $25

Good food

Rose Wallace is a former Greville Street, Prahran, hospitality identity who made the sea change to Wonthaggi, opening Mega Bites cafe 16 years ago. It's a lime green chairs at white tables in a main street shop kind of place. Rose and her crew make everything on site from grinding the spices for the curries to preparing the minced lamb for the Turkish burgers. It's fresh, fast and fun with good coffee and a healthy range for vegos and gluten-free diners. Out back is a concession to well known local children's author Alison Lester of Are We There Yet? fame. Here you can buy prints of her work and other quality merchandise. 132 Graham St, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-4pm, 5672 3344

Old book bank

In the grand old State Savings Bank is David Norton's Ramalama Book Exchange, an eclectic collection of more than 80,000 books that line the walls of the 1915 building and the former manager's quarters. Norton's pet section of local history has books by shipwreck historian Don Love and a chilling account of the 1986 Phillip Island murder by true crime author Vikki Petraitis. Norton is particularly proud of his 1952 edition of Mary Grant Bruce's Billabong Adventures, complete with dust jacket. 1 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm (open Sunday 9am-3pm during January), 5672 4790, ramalamabooks.com.au

Local meat

Husband and wife butcher team Anthony and Emily Mitchell have carved a nice little niche for themselves in Wonthaggi by focusing on Gippsland lamb and beef. "Gippsland grows some of the best meat in the world," says former school teacher Emily, "so why would you want to sell anything else?" Here they dry-age their beef and make some rather delicious curry lamb and coconut sausages. Emily is a good cook who can reel off scores of recipes for every cut of meat in the counter, a boon to kitchen-challenged customers.Mitchell & Co. Traditional Butchery, 150 Graham Street, Monday-Friday 6am-5.30pm, Saturday 6am-1pm, 5672 1181

Going underground

Deep under Wonthaggi, just a few decades ago, men and horses would work in the dim light mining for coal. Men would hack the black coal from the rock and horses would drag coal wagons up to the surface. From 1909 to 1968 underground mines operated around the town, producing 17 million tonnes of coal to power not only industry but our suburban and regional train network, which used coal-fired steam trains until the 1960s. The mines were revitalised as a visitor attraction and underground tours are held twice daily, with enthusiastic former workers volunteering to guide visitors through their quite fascinating workplace. Above ground are free displays and facilities.State Coal Mine, Garden Street, 5672 3053, open daily 10am-4.30pm, tours 11.30am and 2pm. Family of four $46.10, book on 13 19 63

Life's a beach

In summer the patrolled Cape Paterson beach is safe for families, while just to the west is the reef break off the rocks at the cape. The back roads around the coast here lead to dead-end roads with hidden paths to beautiful, scarcely populated beaches. For local knowledge see Steve Cousins at Vortex Surf and Skate shop. Shop 54 McBride Ave, 5672 4112, daily 9am-5.30pm

6reasons@richardcornish.com.au

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